Focusing on a pair of Asmussen runners at Oaklawn Park

Ten races will be offered at Oaklawn Park on Friday, and Steve Asmussen has horses entered in six. The Hall of Fame trainer has won races at Will Rogers Downs recently, but his last victory at Oaklawn (entering this week) came March 21.

A clear second in the trainer standings, Asmussen may not be able to catch Robertino Diodoro, but he looks poised for a strong showing Friday. Here are a couple I like to win.

Race 6

#9 New Mexico should appreciate the drop into this $30,000 claiming event. A sharp gate-to-wire maiden winner in the fall, the 4-year-old colt is clearly fast enough to prove best, based upon Brisnet Speed ratings, and New Mexico will receive a different setup than recent starts, in a field lacking pace.

Asmussen wins at a 31% clip (5-for-16) when he drops a couple levels in class this year, and New Mexico can parlay a frontrunning trip into a victory. He is listed at 6-1 on the morning line, with go-to rider Ricardo Santana Jr.

I will play New Mexico to win, and in straight exactas, over #5 Shining Through and #7 Trashtalkinyankee.

$20 win: 9

$5 exacta: 9 over 5,7

Race 8

#2 Strong Flag enters on the upswing. She ran down an odds-on favorite to graduate by a widening 3 1/4-length margin in her second start of the meet, and the $435,000 daughter of Strong Mandate registered a field-best 87 Speed rating last time out. Strong Flag should be primed for her best in the third start off a layoff (Asmussen wins at a 21% rate with the move), and she will be prominent from the start, with Santana back aboard the 7-2 second choice on the morning line.

$20 win: 2

$5 exacta: 2 over 3,6

Good luck!

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